Holiday shipping deadlines coming up

Start shopping now if you want to get your stuff before December 25 and use free or standard shipping. Deal Hack reminds us that holiday shipping deadlines are fast approaching.

This year, Christmas falls on a Monday, so in determining the deadlines, we assumed delivery on Friday 12/22 (unless Saturday delivery is specified). As a result, the deadlines are earlier this year.

Several deadlines for standard shipping have already passed, and a few biggies are coming up fast.

The following excerpted list is "organized" by my completely unscientific balance of retailer importance and deadline urgency. Stores with standard shipping deadlines that have passed are lower on the list because we're left with express (more expensive) shipping.

Buy.com - 12/13 (FREE), 12/16 (standard)

Amazon - 12/15 (super saver), 12/18 (standard)

Red Envelope - 12/12 (standard), 12/20 (express)

Walmart - 12/15 (gift card shipping), 12/18 (standard)

Old Navy - 12/12 (standard), 12/20 (express)

Cooking.com - 12/13

Zappos - 12/19 (FREE)

New Egg - 12/15 (standard 3-day), 12/18 (express)

Circuit City - 12/11 1pm EST (standard)

Target - 12/18 (standard)

Overstock.com - 12/4 (standard), 12/14 (express/2-day)

Dell - 12/7 (standard), 12/12 (express/2-day)

Smart Bargains - 12/7 (standard), 12/18 (express)

Check out the full list of retailers' holiday shopping deadlines at Deal Hack. There is information on over 50 retailers including various shipping dealines, customer service numbers, and other notes.

Here are some U.S. Postal Service deadlines for guaranteed delivery before 12/25.